11 amazing things to do when you Visit Ninh Binh Vietnam

If you’re planning a trip to Southeast Asia, you have to visit Ninh Binh Vietnam. Located 2 hours south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh is one of those places that should be on every traveler’s Vietnam Itinerary.

The area is known for it’s stunning natural landscapes with its massive limestone karsts and winding rivers. Ninh Binh is often referred to as “Ha Long Bay on land” due to the similar landscape it shares with Ha Long Bay.

If you’re looking for a vacation spot that has a good mix of historical and cultural sites, as well as beautiful landscapes, then you must visit Ninh Binh. I spent three days there and I could have easily spent another three days there.

I’ll share with you 11 amazing things to do when you visit Ninh Binh, Vietnam.

Where is Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is a province located in northern Vietnam, about 90 km south of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. The entire province is about 535 square miles. When you hear people talking about visiting Ninh Binh Vietnam, they are actually referring to just a small part of the province of Ninh Binh.

The area of Ninh Binh where people visit is located about 5 miles outside of the center of town. Trang An and Tam Coc are the towns where most people stay and where the majority of activities are. That area is in the red dot you see on the map below.

Is Ninh Binh Worth Visting?

1000%, Visiting Ninh Binh Vietnam is definitely worth it! The area’s breathtaking scenery and rich cultural heritage gives visitors an opportunity to learn more about the history of Vietnam while enjoying a serene setting.

There’s beautiful landscapes, impressive architecture, and a tranquil countryside to relax in. Much different from the chaotic cities of Hanoi and Saigon.

11 of the Best things to do in Ninh Binh

There is so much to do in and around Ninh Binh from exploring the natural scenery to experiencing the local culture. Ninh Binh was one of our favorite places in Vietnam. Below are some of the top things to do in Ninh Binh.

1. Trang An Boat Tour

The Trang An boat tour is one of the most popular things to do in Ninh Binh, if not the most popular thing to do. Trang An is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for it’s complex system of caves and canals. There are four different boat routes to choose from and each lasts 1.5-3 hours.

You’ll travel through caves and have the opportunity to explore several temples along the routes.

Read all about the Trang An Boat Tour. Everything you need to know!

2. Bai Dinh Pagoda

The Bai Dinh Pagoda is a massive Buddhist temple complex consisting of ancient and modern structures and is considered one of the most important Buddhist sites in Vietnam. There are impressive stone and bronze statues throughout the site including more than 500 carved statues of Buddha.

Open 6am – 6pm daily and entrance is free although you will have to pay for parking. Because the site is so large (700 hectares/1700 acres), you have the option of renting a golf cart to get around.

3. Tam Coc Boat Ride Through Rice Paddies

The Tam Coc boat tour is a scenic boat ride through the picturesque limestone karsts, rice paddies, and caves. The boats are typically rowed by local women who sometimes use their feet to row.

Warning…it has a reputation for having some pushy rowers who may ask for tips and even refuse to continue on without one. You may not experience it but it’s just something to keep in mind so you aren’t surprised.

The ride lasts about 2 hours and is the perfect opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Vietnam.

4. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Hoa Lu was once known as the capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1010AD. The location for the capital was a strategic choice due to the natural defenses of the karsts and rice fields.

Hoa Lu is the perfect place to explore the Vietnam culture through its historical sites, ancient temples, and royal palaces.

Hoa Lu is open 7am to 5pm daily and the entrance fee is 20,000 VND or just under $1.

5. Bich Dong Pagoda

Bich Dong Pagoda is a Buddhist temple located in the Tam Coc area. Built in the 15th century, there are three separate structures built into the limetone mountains.

You’ll climb up a stone staircase from the Ha (Lower) pagoda through the Trung (Middle) Pagoda, and finally the Thuong (Upper) Pagoda which sits near the top of the mountain.

Bich Dong is open all day and is free to visit. Photos of Bich Dong was one of the things that made me want to visit Ninh Binh Vietnam.

6. Van Long Nature Reserve

The Van Long Nature Reserve is a protected area of caves, wetlands, and limestone karsts. It’s home to a diverse range of flora and endangered primates, various birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Enjoy a peaceful boat ride through the reserve where you can spot wildlife and learn more about the local ecosystem. There are also 32 caves and several temples to explore.

Open 8am-6pm daily, tickets to visit Van Long Nature Reserve are less than $1 while the boat ride is around $3.

7. Bicycle Ride through the Rice Fields

One of the best things to do in Ninh Binh is to ride a bicycle through the rice fields. From May to October the terraced rice fields are a vibrant shade of green surrounded by limestone mountains.

Exploring these fields by bicycle is an opportunity to observe the lives of local farmers and interact with the community. Most hostels and hotels in the area will have bikes available to borrow or rent for just a few dollars.

8. Mua Cave Viewpoint Hike

Also known as Hang Mua, this hike is famous for its panoramic views of the area. The climb to the top is 486 steps. About halfway up you’ll have to decide which path to take first. The left goes up to the dragon statue at the top of the mountain and the right path leads to a pagoda.

Either way, you should definitely do both. It should only take 20-30 minutes to reach the top but you’ll probably spend more time than that taking in the views and taking hundreds of photos.

Mua Cave is open from 6am-7pm. Visiting Ninh Binh Vietnam would not be complete without a Hang Mua hike!

Read all about the Hang Mua hike in Ninh Binh.

9. Cuc Phuong National Park

The oldest National Park in Vietnam, Cuc Phuong is known for it’s rich biodiversity encompassing a range of ecosystems. Tropical rainforests and evergreen forests support a diverse habitat of plant and animal species.

There’s also an Endangered Primate Rescue Center at Cuc Phuong. There are trails for hiking, bike tours through the forest, and tours for spotting wildlife and bird watching. The park is open everyday from 6am – 10pm.

10. Am Tien Lake and Pagoda

Located just 10 minutes from Trang An, Am Tien Lake is associated with a mythical princess who would visit the lake to bathe and relax. There are stairs that lead up to the Am Tien cave, also known as the “Dragon Cave”, where you will pass the Am Tien Pagoda which dates back more than 1000 years.

You’ll have a great view of the lake and moutains from the top.

11. Phat Diem Cathedral

If you want to head into the city of Ninh Binh you should check out the Phat Diem Cathedral. This Catholic Church was built in 1891 with stone and wood and contains European and Vietnamese architecture.

It was bombed during the Vietnam War but was later restored. Besides the cathedral, there are several grottoes and five chapels to explore.

How to get to Ninh Binh

The largest city closest to Ninh Binh is Hanoi, which is about 90km north of Ninh Binh. However, there aren’t any flights so in order to visit Ninh Binh you’ll have to arrive by land.

Vietnam has a really extensive public transportation service throughout the country so getting from one place to another is quite easy.

• Bus: There are dozens of buses that you can book yourself online that travel to Ninh Binh from anywhere in the country. I’ve used 12go.asia to book my seat on buses throughout Vietnam. Different bus companies are listed there and you just pick one that looks good to you.
  
  I usually look to make sure the reviews of the bus company I choose are good first. A bus will be the most budget friendly option. A 2 hour bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh will cost around $5.
  
  
• Train: The second option is to take a train to Ninh Binh. Just like the bus service, there are trains that run throughout Vietnam. A train ticket from Hanoi will cost around $15. You can search for and buy train tickets in Vietnam at Vietnam Train Tickets.
  
  
• Tours: If you only have 1 day to visit Ninh Binh, you can opt for a tour. Hanoi has a lot of tour companies that have day trips to Ninh Binh. This Get Your Guide Tour has 2 different tour options to Ninh Binh, each doing different things so make sure you get one that has all the things you want to do.

You likely won’t be able to do everything in just one day but you should be able to find a tour that will take you to the places you want to go.

Best time for visiting Ninh Binh Vietnam

The weather in Vietnam can range from sweltering hot to snowy, depending on where you are in the country. It can be incredibly hot and humid in Ho Chi Minh City while mild and cool up north in Hanoi.

You’re likely not coming to Vietnam just to visit Ninh Binh so it’s hard to plan for the best weather throughout the country.

But, it’s still good to know what the weather might be like when you plan to visit so you can prepare. Ninh Binh basically has a cool and dry season and a hot and wet season.

• May to October: This is summer in Ninh Binh and it will be hot, humid, and rainy. During this time the rice paddies are a vivid green and come September it’ll be time for harvest. The rain isn’t great for outdoor activities but it won’t rain every single day.
  
  Temperatures during this time can range from 25°-34° C or 77°-93° F. By early October the weather starts to cool down but it will still be rainy.
  
  
• November to April: This is winter in Ninh Binh and it will be much cooler and dry. You’ll likely have just a little rain and some fog. You may have a lot of overcast days and you’ll want to plan for wearing layers because it will get cold at night.
  
  However, during the day it can be nice and you likely won’t need cold weather clothes. Temperatures will range from 13°-26° C or 33°-78° F.
  
  By the end of February and through April, it will start to warm up in Ninh Binh reaching temperatures as high as 27° C or 80° F.

How many days do you need to visit Ninh Binh

If you want to see everything I have listed here then you’ll need a minimum of 3 days visiting Ninh Binh Vietnam. They will be very busy days if you have plans to do it all but it’s definitely possible.

If you only have 2 days to spend in Ninh Binh then you should still be able to see quite a bit but you will likely have to skip one of the two major boat tours and a few other things.

If you choose to visit Ninh Binh Vietnam on a day trip from Hanoi or on a tour, you will likely only be able to do 2-3 things.

Getting Around Ninh Binh

There are plenty of taxis hanging out everywhere to help you get around. There’s no need to rent a vehicle because a taxi is very budget friendly.

Vietnam also has their own version of Uber called Grab. Be sure to download the app before you arrive.

If you’re going to visit Ninh Binh for more than 2 days, I highly recommend renting a scooter. It’s the cheapest and best way to get around. Of course if you aren’t comfortable with the idea of driving a motorbike then the Taxi or Grab will be the best option.

Are you planning a trip to Vietnam? Check out my 2 week Vietnam Itinerary. It includes a visit to Ninh Binh.

Best area to stay in Ninh Binh

The two main areas to stay at when visiting Ninh Binh Vietnam is either Trang An or Tam Coc. They are only about a 15-20 minute drive from each other but are completely different.

Trang An is a beautiful area and you’ll be surrounded by limestone karsts but there are less options for accomodations and restaurants. Everything is more spread out and you’ll need to take taxis to go out to eat.

Tam Coc is the most popular area to stay in. It’s located in the countryside but has a lot of options for restaurants and shopping. There are hotels, hostels, and homestays in Tam Coc and you can walk to restaurants.

Visiting Ninh Binh Vietnam Conclusion

Ninh Binh Vietnam is one of those hidden gems that you should not skip. There’s no shortage of things to do and the area is one of the most beautiful regions of Vietnam. It’s close enough to Hanoi so it’s easy to get to by bus, train, or a tour.

Even if you can only go on a day trip, you will not regret it!